Coming back after the break can mean deadlines appearing quickly, pressure to feel motivated, worries about money, placements or careers, and the sense that you should be starting the year feeling positive and focused. If that’s not how you feel, you’re not alone.
Rather than focusing on one ‘bad day’, it’s more helpful to think about what actually supports you through January – and how you can create better Mondays for yourself, not just this month, but throughout the year.
It’s Not a Motivation Problem
If you’re struggling in January, it doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. Most students care deeply about doing well and want to make progress.
What often gets in the way isn’t effort, but clarity, balance, and reassurance. You might be juggling academic expectations, part-time work, family commitments, and your own wellbeing, all while trying to plan ahead.
Feeling low in energy or confidence at this time of year is usually a sign that something needs support – not that you need to push yourself harder.
What Actually Helps: Creating Better Mondays
1. Getting Clear on What Matters
January can feel overwhelming when everything seems urgent. It helps to:
• Get clear on what’s coming up and when
• Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps
• Focus on a few priorities rather than everything at once
Clarity can reduce anxiety and help you feel more in control.
2. Setting a Realistic Pace
January doesn’t have to be a fresh start where everything suddenly clicks. It’s okay if you’re returning tired, worried, or already feeling behind.
Giving yourself permission to ease back in – rather than expecting instant productivity – can make a big difference to your wellbeing and confidence.
3. Staying Connected
It’s easy to withdraw when things feel difficult, but connection really matters. Talking to someone you trust, checking in with peers, or reaching out for support can help you feel less alone.
Struggling at times is a normal part of student life, even if it doesn’t always look that way from the outside.
4. Building Confidence and Self-Belief
January often brings self-doubt: Am I on the right course? Am I good enough? What happens next?
Support that helps you understand yourself better, manage pressure, and build confidence can help you move forward with more clarity and resilience.
Use Aspire to Support You
If you have access to Aspire there are lots of resources to help you navigate pressure, uncertainty, and transition.
Our support focuses on:
• Building confidence and resilience
• Supporting wellbeing alongside academic success
• Developing self-awareness, motivation, and coping strategies
• Providing practical tools you can use throughout your studies
January can be a really important moment to pause, reflect, and reset – and having the right support can make a lasting difference.
Moving Beyond Blue Monday
Instead of asking how to get through Blue Monday, a more useful question might be:
What would help you feel more supported, confident, and capable – not just in January, but for the rest of the year?
When you have clarity, understanding, and the right tools, January becomes less about surviving and more about moving forward in a way that works for you.